COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONWestvleteren Blond is the basic beer for the monks’ own consumption, since 1999, when the former 6° dark ale (red cap) was finally discarded, after the 4° had already gone that path.

Shared a bottle with Humulone Red...thanks!! It is gold with a slight haze. It has a georgeous white head. The aroma is spicy, peppery, grassy, and has some green pepper. The flavor is pretty bitter! It will surprise you but it is delicious in combination with a slight tartness, some leather, earthy and some funk. Amazing beer.

Bottle - Pours blonde with a huge white sudsy head that laces quite well. Aroma is some hops, yeast, and a touch of lemon. Flavor is quite yeasty as well with notes of spice/pepper. Some citrus notes in the flavor as well.. A little orange and some lemon. Many different things come through and make this a complex beer for it’s color. The mouthfeel is great on this one. Just perfect carbonation and a wonderful dry finish. Not bad.. I look forward to the other 2 Westys in my basement now.

(Bottle 33 cl) It’s rare but it does happen: a new Trappist beer. Pale golden with a huge head. Quite lightbodied with a very, very pronounced bitterness throughout. Fruity and fresh but also a bit sharp. Rather unusual trappist - perhaps Orval is the closest relative. But this lacks that beers refined spicyness. 220501

Courtesy of Wohlfs. Pours blond with white head. Lots of citrus and spice/pepper in the aroma. Flavor very skunky with a harsh metallic tatse to it. Very harsh aftertaste. Dissapointed to say the least.

Well I have worked my way "down" the Westy ladder and enjoyed the trip! While not as good as the 8 or 12, you can still tell that this beer is crafted with skill and care. Hazy golden yellow with a super thick white head that lasts a long time. Thick sheets of lacing. Aroma of citrus and floral hops. Medium-bodied and dry with spicy hops and citrus flavoring. Wonderful balance throughout. The finish is lightly bitter with yeast and spice flavors. I’d love to have any of the Westy brews again but considering the hefty price tag I’ll probably stick with the 12 from here on out.

Slightly murky golden hue with immense creamy head and silky lacing. Spice (coriander/citrus) and malt aroma with notes of tobacco and leather. I also get hints of black pepper and fresh green chilies . Hoppy grapefruit bitterness that is not overwhelming but balances the flavor and fades into a nice malt and spice background. This bottle is from Belgium Shop and seems to be “young”. It is a great beer now and I only see it getting better.

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